The governor touted that one of his themes for this budget year
was helping New Yorkers realize independence.

Let’s be realistic. Individual independence and economic
freedom cannot exist where there are no jobs...where the education
system is under funded...where families have to choose between
health care, heating their homes and worry about consistent
skyrocketing property taxes.

Individual independence and economic freedom cannot take hold
where there is insufficient child care, insufficient public
transportation, and unaffordable health insurance.

This disconnect between the governor’s administration and the
real world New Yorkers are living in is exemplified by the recent
news in a Long Island Index Report that over half of Long
Islanders are seriously considering moving in the next five
years.

We were elected to lead this state toward a better future.
Let’s do the job RIGHT - and pass a budget that’s
good for working families.

Sincerely,

Philip Ramos Member of Assembly

The rich get richer while working families continue to bear the burden

The governor boasts that his budget provides our families with
tax relief, but the fine print reveals a different story. Perhaps
the New York Daily News said it best: "Governor Pataki has
proposed a tax-cutting plan that betrays working families and
middle-class New Yorkers while favoring the well-to-do and even
the ultra-wealthy."

His budget reinstates the state sales tax on clothing
and footwear under $110

His budget makes getting a college education more
expensive, increasing tuition at SUNY and shortchanging SCCC
$2.5 million

Instead of helping struggling working families, the
governor proposed eliminating the state’s portion of the estate
tax, applied to those estates worth more than $1 million, or
only the 200 richest families in the state

According to the Daily News, under the governor’s proposal
a married couple with two children making $50,000 a year would
get a 2 percent tax cut-about $24 a year.

A married couple with two children earning $120,000 a year would
get a 9 percent tax break-worth $578 annually.

His budget reinstates the state sales tax on clothing and footwear under $110

His budget makes getting a college education more expensive, increasing tuition at SUNY and shortchanging SCCC $2.5 million

Instead of helping struggling working families, the
governor proposed eliminating the state’s portion of the
estate tax, applied to those estates worth more than $1
million, or only the 200 richest families in the state

Assemblyman Ramos knows health care is important. We can’t have a
state budget that drains money from hospitals while raising costs for
nursing homes, pharmacies, and working families. Ramos will fight
for a budget that protects our health care system-and our families’
well being.

Did you know?

The VITA program offers free tax help to low and moderate-income people who cannot prepare their own tax returns.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) form can be complex and confusing for many tax filers.

You can visit a local VITA site at:

Suffolk County One-Stop Employment Center
725 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, New York
Monday-Friday, by appointment only

Assemblyman Ramos fought for an additional $3 million for
the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Call the New York State
HEAP hotline at (800) 342-3009 or Suffolk County Social Services
Office at 854-9935 to see if you are eligible for assistance.

Assemblyman Ramos will fight for a budget that delivers tax
relief to working families. He will work to eliminate the
marriage penalty and make a cost of living adjustment for STAR.